alpha
Latest
Rumored specs for Sony's Advanced Amateur Alpha DSLR hit the net
It seems the rumor mill is in full swing for the entire DSLR universe these days, so it makes sense for Sony's Advanced Amateur Alpha to join the fray. According to an admittedly sketchy source, the specifications from the aforementioned camera have been discovered, so here's a quick rundown on what to (hopefully) expect. Aside from the 14.4-megapixel sensor, rumor has it that you'll find a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, NP-FM55H battery, a CompactFlash slot, support for JPEG / RAW image formats, anti red-eye technology, ISO 100 to 3200, and wireless flash support to boot. 'Course, we wouldn't bet the farm on any of this just yet, but if you're interested in delving into dodgy French sites for potential dirt on one of Sony's forthcoming beasts, you know where to head.[Via Digital Camera Information, thanks Jim]
Okiwi inches closer to completion
The homebrew browser OKiwi is a step closer to competing with the official DS browser and other homebrew offerings -- it can now go online! Which is a pretty important feature for a browser, no? And there's more good news to boot: creator Pedro J. Estébanez promises that now, updates should be more frequent. Considering the number of requests in the comments on this latest release, he's got his work cut out for him, but it looks like we're not the only ones excited by this project. Next up, we'll guess, is text box functionality, since search engines are a pretty big part of navigating the internet.
Trillian Astra chat / IM software for iPhone
Those hankering to get your chat on with that shiny new iPhone now have an option other than waiting 'til who knows when for a (potential) Apple update -- if you're cool with alpha software invading your handset, that is. According to Cerulean Studios', the Trillian Astra application has actually been "designed for iPhone, it doesn't just happen to work with it." The result is a polished interface that is "compact" and fit to the screen, meaning that you won't be dragging and moving windows in order to hold a decent text-based conversation. Currently, the software updates your contact list and message windows, and enables the sending and receiving of messages so long as your browser window is open. Interested? Curb your enthusiasm a bit, sign up to be an alpha tester, and exercise your patience "for the next few weeks."[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sony's 'Flagship' and 'Advanced Amateur' Alpha DSLRs nearly here?
If you can think back to March for a second (we know, it's a stretch), you may recall Sony's two mysterious Alpha DSLRs posing inside a restrictive glass container. The codenamed "Flagship" and "Advanced Amateur" models have since made their way onto Sony's official website, hinting that these two may be hitting shelves sooner rather than later. Of course, Sony isn't the only big gun with potential DSLR plans swirling in the backroom, so don't be surprised if these two happen to coincide with rival launches that are supposedly forthcoming. Unfortunately, details beyond face value are still unknown, but feel free to leap on through to take a peek at the Advanced Amateur Alpha on its best behavior.[Via AkihabaraNews]
More pics of Sony's new Alpha DSLRs surface
While Sony was showing off its new Alpha DSLRs all the way back at PMA in March (where we snapped up plenty of pics of 'em), it looks like the company is just now starting to let loose some official shots to flaunt the cameras in their best possible light. Unfortunately, they aren't yet providing any specs to go along with the pics, although we do know that the cameras will boast the same BIONZ image processor and image stabilization of Sony's A100, which these cams are set to succeed. From the looks of it, Sony will have more to say about 'em at the Seoul International Photo & Imaging Industry Show that's just getting underway. Until then, you can check out a couple more pics of the various models after the break.
TUAW Tip: An easier way to email your logs
Since we play around with a lot of pre-release and beta software in the name of you readers, we often have to email logs to developers to help them iron out quirks that help an app get all growed up from alpha to beta and to the big release version. As any of you who have gone through this kind of testing will know, it aint always the easiest process to deal with. Typically, all this emailing involves lots of copy/pasting, file - saving or juggling at least a few files. Fortunately, I just stumbled upon an easy trick that will hopefully make some of our beta testing lives easier. It turns out you can add a Mail button to the Console app, allowing for a one-click process to embed all the text of the current log you're viewing in a new Apple Mail message (not as a file attachment), ripe for firing off to a developer. Either right-click the toolbar, or go to the View menu, and chose Customize Toolbar to find this button.Unfortunately, this appears to only work with Apple Mail; I tried setting both Entourage as my default email app (I know, I cringed when writing that myself) and even the Google Notifier to see if this would work with Gmail. Entourage created a new message, but the log gets fubarred when automatically pasted into the message, and Gmail simply returns a 'Bad Request' error without creating a message at all. I guess I picked a good time to switch back to using the wonderful Mac OS X integratedness of Apple Mail.
The 2006 Engadget Awards: Vote for Digital Camera of the Year
Now's your chance to cast your ballot for the 2006 Digital Camera of the Year! Our Engadget Awards nominees are listed below, and you've got until 11.59PM EST on Monday, April 16th to file your vote. You can only vote once, so make it count, and may the best tech win! The nominees: Canon 400D / Rebel XTi, Canon SD800, Nikon D80, Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, Sony Alpha 100, and Sony HDR-SR1. %Poll-324%
Train your Japanese-writing brain in minutes a day!
Kana DS won't teach you how to translate Famitsu magazine scans for your favorite games, but it will help you strengthen your hiragana and katakana skills. Think of the homebrew application as Brain Age for Japanese charsets, minus the floating, decapitated head. An alpha release of the project has been posted, demonstrating its "number sorting" mini-game. The only other implemented feature is a character reference mode, but we can already see a lot of potential for this polished application. Developer Julio Gorgé plans to include handwriting recognition, progress tracking, and difficulty scaling in future builds.It might not be as mind-blowing as Kanji Ken, but few games are. Check past the post break for a preview video of Kana DS. [Via DCEmu]
DSLR dust removal / sensor cleaning shootout
We already know that megapixels don't matter (right?), but an oft hyped (but untested) feature that has emerged on DSLRs is automatic sensor cleaning. The anti-dust capabilities (or lack thereof) of Canon's EOS-400D, Olympus' E-300, Pentax's K10D, and Sony's Alpha A100 were put to the test, and although the methodology was less than scientific, the results were intriguing nonetheless. Essentially, each camera was given a before / after test shot in order to judge the results, and after the digicams sat through a dirtying process, they were "self-cleaned" 25 times and finally rated. Considering that Olympus was given credit as being the first manufacturer to include dust cleaning technology in its products, it's not too surprising that it took home the gold, but even sitting in first place, the E-300's effectiveness was only rated at 50-percent. Canon's EOS-400D came in with high expectations, but received a "poor" rating as the cleaning effectiveness clocked in a paltry five-percent. If you thought these two were bad, it only got worse when the Pentax K10D and Alpha A100 stepped to the plate, as both highly-regarded cams were deemed "useless" in the anti-dust department. So if your number one priority in a new DSLR is how well it cleans up after itself, there doesn't seem to be a standout option just yet, but feel free to hit the read link and decide for yourself.[Thanks, Romain B.]
Sony shows off Alpha DSLR "Flagship" and "High Amateurs" models
Though the models and exact specs aren't yet announced, Sony was showing two new prototype DSLRs in their Alpha line as "a sign of things to come." The two models being shown were the "Flagship" and "High Amatuers" Alphas, which are both stated to have the BIONZ image processor and image stabilization, just as the A100. We'll be keeping an eye out, Sony. Peep the gallery.%Gallery-1991%
Pokemon Online sooner than you think
Yes, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl will feature Wi-Fi trading and battling, hurray-hurrah. Little did we know, however, that some independent developers (i.e. programmers with way too much free time) were developing an MMORPG version of the franchise based on the original Red and Blue versions. Sister site Joystiq clued us in, and we were rather intrigued.Upon installation, we noted the extreme "alpha" status of the project. The only system currently implemented is that of battle, and even that seemed shoddy at best. You simply choose your six Pokemon from the standard list of 151 and walk around a grassy field until challenged. The game has a long way to go, and the chances that it can make it all the way past Nintendo's elite legal team seem slim. Try it out if you're bored a Pokemon fan! And please, Nintendo, take a hint. We really want an official Pokemon MMO.[via Joystiq]
Leaked Halo 3 Alpha media roundup [update 1]
We've compiled (courtesy of Xbox 360 Fanboy) the leaked Halo 3 Alpha media for easy digestion. You won't get much more than a headache out of watching the videos, but the screenshot showing the Alpha download may give some indication as to the size of the forthcoming beta test (start deleting those old demos if you plan to join). Enjoy ... [Update: We've removed the leaked content at Bungie's request, sending the images and videos back into the perforated dam we call the internet. In lieu of ogling blurry screens and choppy video, stare at this $100 Legendary Edition helmet for a reminder of something else you'll never have.]
Sony announces CompactFlash cards as hell freezes over
Sony just announced support for yet another new memory card format today -- fortunately, it's only new to them. Available later "this Spring," Sony will introduce their first CompactFlash memory card. A move foreshadowed by Sony's entry into the high-end, consumer digital camera business with their alpha α100 -- a DSLR lacking direct support for Sony's Memory Stick. The new Type I CF cards will share the same α branding and will hit 66x and 133x transfer speeds with capacities between 1GB and 4GB. So, does this signal the end of their proprietary Memory Stick format? You wish. [Via Photography Blog]
WoW Model Viewer updated to 2.0.1 alpha
WoW Model Viewer has been updated to work with 2.0.1, and they've got a new website to boot. If you've never used it, the model viewer is a program that lets you poke around inside the WoW resources on your computer, and check out the 3D models of players, armor, NPCs, and so on. The latest version is being called .5 "very alpha" and can be found here.A few words of warning: as the name implies, the software isn't quite done yet, which means it's likely to (at least) crash, and (at worst) break your computer (I doubt that's likely to happen, but anytime you run alpha software, it's a possibility). In addition, the model viewer is in no way created or condoned by Blizzard-- there's a chance (albeit small, I realize) that they could consider this using a 3rd party program to modify the game files. Again, it's not likely-- I doubt this program actually does any editing, just reading-- but the possibility is there.Anyway, the Model Viewer can make for some pretty cool looks at content you haven't yet seen in the game (or haven't yet been able to examine closely). And the Model Viewer is also responsible for some pretty amazing fanmade videos, too. The new version allows you to access the Blood Elf and Draenei models, so if you're interested in seeing what's just around the corner with the expansion (and willing to use unofficial alpha software to do it), have at it.
Pimps at Sea players spotted on Xbox Live [update 1]
Several Microsoft employees have been spotted on Xbox Live playing Pimps at Sea (Alpha). When questioned, the players slyly replied, "What's a pimp?"The obvious explanation is that Halo 3 multiplayer testing has begun, under Bungie's oft-used moniker. In fact, 1UP is "totally 100%" sure of it. As for Joystiq, we're a reserved 99.9% sure -- still holding onto some tiny inkling of hope that Pimps at Sea is indeed Bungie's long-rumored Xbox Live Arcade game.Update: added screenshot [via flickr].
Sonic 2 prototype now playable
Known only as "drx," some mysterious mage has resurrected a Sonic the Hedgehog 2 prototype cart and promptly dumped it (for emulation). It's an early build of Sega's sequel that's more akin to the first game than to the final version of Sonic 2. Can you spot the differences? It's been suggested that this prototype is the same alpha build that was featured in several episodes of Nick Arcade. Another early build, often referred to as Sonic 2 Beta, was stolen from a toy show in New York back in '92. The cart was pirated and sold as a final version in parts of Asia and Brazil, despite only featuring four semi-playable levels.
Rumored hunter pet abilities
These new pet abilities on the Curse Gaming forums, if accurate, sound pretty darned awesome. As to their accuracy, several posters have noted that some of these abilities have been in the game (not available to players, but in the game) since beta, but never usable -- and that the final release of pet skills gave pets completely new abilities. To this, original poster Celebrimor notes that, in the Alpha release, these abilities now scale up to level 70, meaning they've at least been updated. (And why update them if not to make use of them in-game?) So are they real or just someone's idea of a bad joke? Read on and see what you think.
Blizzard 1, BC rumor sites 0
The pluralization is a bit pre-emptive here, as only one site I know of has had its contents pulled offline due to Blizzard's requests. That site, the Caverns of Time, was a great compilation of rumors and occasionally legitimate information about the upcoming expansion (the screenshot above, pulled from the site, was obviously not an accurate representation of the druid changes). They've received notice from Blizzard giving them 48 hours to remove contents of the site or else face "formal action," and they seem to have complied. You can check the site, still, for a copy of what I assume is Blizzard's complaint. Ah well -- I'm sure three sites will spring up tomorrow to replace it, thus providing us a steady stream of interesting Burning Crusade gossip!
Even More Burning Crusade Leaks
Even more leaks are finding their way out of the supposedly ubersecret Burning Crusade Friends and Family Alpha. First we saw videos of the newbie areas, then we heard the voices of BE and Draenei, and now, using a model hacker, various sources have put together a few more spoilers about the expansion. If, like me, you want to wait until you buy the game to actually see what's in it, don't click on the links below. But if you're willing to dive into unreleased and unconfirmed information because you just can't wait to find out what might be in the expansion, have at it! borgseawolf over on Livejournal has put up four huge image strips of a bunch of different enemies from the game. Some of them are still untextured, but there's a lot of interesting stuff in there, including a few new forms of mobs we already know and love. And YouTuber roguekitten246 has unearthed video animations of the emotes and fighting movements of the Draenei male, the Draenei female, and the Blood Elf male and BE female. Again, don't click on the links if you don't want to see spoilers, but I have to say that I think the Horde are going to be pretty happy to have the BEs on their side. They look good. Also, Eluna (who sent us the voices) also sends along a few other pics from the alpha: some freaky skelly, a felorc, a female and male naga, a race whose name we won't mention, and the normal and epic Draenei mounts. Again, hacking the code like this is definitely against the Blizzard TOS and may even be illegal, so we can't confirm or guarantee any of these pictures or movies are exactly what you'll see in Burning Crusade. Even if they are real, there's a huge chance things will change before the game is released, so take these with a grain of salt. That said-- wow these look awesome!
More Potential Burning Crusade Data
We've got yet more leaked data about the Burning Crusade! And perhaps I'm just being naive, but I'm tempted to believe there's at least some truth in all of these rumors. The Caverns of Time site has information on the druid, mage, paladin, rogue, shaman, warlock, and warrior talent trees as well as a large collection of interesting screenshots (including the Draenei mount). (Though, of course, the class about which I am most curious - the priest - is still conspicuously absent!) At any rate, check it out for yourself and tell us what you think.[Thanks, Nelson]
